Oxford Forest Conservation Area covers an area of 11,350 hectares with tracks through the tawai/beech and scattered podocarp forests. Choose from day walks, overnight tramps or mountain biking (permitted on the Wharfedale Track only). Lighting of fires is prohibited during periods of extreme fire risk, and some areas or tracks may be closed.

TRACKS

Getting There: Via the northern motorway (SH1) left on Tram Road and left onto State Highway 72 to Oxford. From Oxford you can access Mt Oxford Forest from Coopers Creek and View Hill.

Time/Distance: 3 hours one way, 7km. Access: Coopers Creek car park. Head west from Oxford and turn into Woodside Road. Travel 8km and then right into Mountain Road to the car park.Viewing: Canterbury Plains and hills, five-tier waterfall, beech forest.

Time/Distance: 2 hours one way, 3km. Access: View Hill car park. From Oxford, drive west on SH72 for about 2km, turn right into Woodstock Road. Travel 10km, turn right up Ingrams Road which turns into Perhams Road. Take the sign posted road to the Wharfedale Track at the View Hill car park. (Heavy rain may stop access on fords). Leave gates as you find them. From the car park, follow the Wharfedale Track to the Korimako Track turn-off to Ryde Falls. Viewing: Canterbury Plains and hills, waterfalls, beech forest.

VIEW HILL TO COOPERS CREEK

Time/Distance: 3 hours one way, 7km. Access: View Hill car park as above. Viewing: Canterbury Plains and hills, beech forest. Take the Wharfedale Track about 10 minutes into the forest from the car park and join take the Link Track which connects further with Ryde Falls Track east to Coopers Creek car park.

Time/Distance: Walk 2 1⁄2 hours one way, 8.5km. Note: This is a 4WD track from the end of Wharfedale Track to Lees Valley across private farmland. Access may be restricted during lambing. Townshend River is crossed twice; this might not be possible if river levels are high.

Time/Distance: 3 hours one way, 3.5km. Access: From Wharfedale Hut. Adjoining Tracks: Descend either View Hill Car park or carry on to the summit and then descend to Coopers Creek car park. Note: This is a very steep rough track suitable only for experienced back country trampers with suitable equipment.

Please note these tracks are managed by Department of Conservation and it is advised to always check their website for any closures prior to embarking on your journey.

Visit the Kaiapoi i-SITE Visitor Informtion Centre or the DOC Rangiora Office for more information, hut tickets and local topo maps.